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CherryRoad Media, ResQZone, a USDA lawsuit and a heartfelt final farewell on Compass

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an Illustration by Elizabeth Anderson / Illustrated image of Moses Momanyi of Cambridge
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Download an image of Moses Momanyi of Cambridge who is interviewed for the Compass story about the USDA Lawsuit. Graphic by Elizabeth Anderson

 

GRANITE FALLS, Minn. — The February 2022 edition of Pioneer PBS’s public affairs program Compass features an interview with CherryRoad Media CEO, a computer refurbishing program in Marshall, a USDA lawsuit and a local sheriff’s deputy who wrote his own obituary. This program will air Thursday, February 10 at 9 p.m. and will be viewable online at www.pioneer.org/compass. People in Pioneer PBS's viewing area can livestream the episode at pioneer.org/live during the broadcast time. Viewers are encouraged to visit Compass on Facebook and YouTube to give feedback on the stories.

On the first of the year, Parsippany, New Jersey-based CherryRoad Media, the media division of CherryRoad Technologies, purchased seven Minnesota newspapers. Their goal is to use their technological knowledge to streamline online and print readership. CherryRoad Media also owns papers in Arkansas, Alabama, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri and Colorado. Compass Producer Amanda Anderson spoke with CherryRoad Media CEO, Jeremy Gulban, earlier this week.  

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Jason Redepenning from ResQZone in Marshall

The ResQZone was created to address two challenges: an identified need for affordable computers in Lyon County and an excess of electronic waste. Electronic waste, or e-waste, includes things like VCRs, DVDs, TVs and computers and Lyon County has been a collection point for e-waste since 2009. The ResQZone cleans and refurbishes recycled electronics and distributes them based on income-based needs. 

Nestled inside of the Biden Administration’s American Rescue Plan was a promise of debt relief for socially disadvantaged farmers — including up to 120 percent forgiveness to BIPOC farmers who had USDA-approved loans. The USDA is now facing a class action lawsuit and in July of 2021, seven white farmers from Minnesota and North Dakota joined in.

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Download an Image courtesy of Tanya Yerigan / A photo collage of Tim Yerigan

The Yellow Medicine County Sheriff Department’s Tim Yerigan was a man with plenty to say. He even acknowledged as much in his final farewell — he wrote his own obituary or final love letter to his family and community, which opened, “My life has been quite a journey.  Like in life, I’ve got a lot to say. You all know, I never was without words.” Tim was 57 years old when he died on November 14, 2021 from mesothelioma.

Viewers with story ideas and issues they would like to see discussed on Compass are encouraged to contact Pioneer PBS via email at yourtv@pioneer.org or call the station at 1-800-726-3178.

About Compass

Compass features current topics relevant to communities in Pioneer PBS's viewing area. Stories are digital-first, meaning they're available on Compass' Facebook and YouTube pages and website before being compiled into monthly broadcasts, which air the second Thursday of the month. 

Funding for Compass is provided in part by the Mcknight Foundation and the viewers of Pioneer PBS. 

About Pioneer PBS

Established in 1966, Pioneer PBS is an award-winning, viewer-supported television station dedicated to sharing local stories of the region with the world. For more information visit www.pioneer.org.